VietAID TODAY – Issue 2 – March 2014


Viet-AID TODAY
Issue 2 | March 2014
VACA ESOL CLASS
Level 1
Monday&Wednesday
9am-11am
Level 1
Monday&Wednesday
6pm-8pm
Level 2
Sunday
9am-11am
VACA CITIZENSHIP CLASS
Tuesday & Thursday 9:00-11:00 AM
Location:
42 Charles St.
Dorchester, MA 02122
Registration is always open, please call VACA for more information 
(617) 288- 7344  
MANY THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS

 

 

The Fish Foundation  

 

Chang Remodeling Corp  

  

Vietnamese Small Business Association of Massachusetts

 

International Ballroom Dancing

 

Quang Trung VOVINAM

 

Hướng đạo Bạch Đằng

 

Phương Anh Nguyễn

 

Đinh Lập

 

Bảo Cường

 

Parents & Teachers Âu Cơ Preschool

 

VietAID Afterschool Middle school Dance group 
Viet-AID Contact Info
42 Charles St.
Dorchester, MA 02122
Phone: 617-822-3717
Fax: 617-822-3718
Like us on Facebook
 
 
 

From the Executive Director
 

Dear Friends,

On February 16th, we at Viet-AID hosted our annual celebration of the New Year – the Year of the Horse.  It was indeed a joyous occasion,

and I would like to thank all of the volunteers and staff who made it possible.  Together with friends new and old, we enjoyed a spirited dragon dance, formal rituals, entertaining poetry, much singing and dancing, and great food.  But there was a moment I would like particularly to highlight – when we welcomed our “new” old friend, Mayor Martin J. Walsh.  The State Representative everyone knew as Marty was always most supportive of the Vietnamese community, and we are very proud to be able to call Boston’s new Mayor our friend.

In this issue of Viet-AID TODAY, you will get a quick look at some of the social service support that we are able to provide our community through our partnership with VACA – the Vietnamese American Civic Association.  VACA has a long history of providing support programs to those in need, and we are glad we have them here in our building and working with us, so that work can continue.

March is here, and while there is still snow on the ground and a chill in the air, we can feel the coming of Spring.  There are exciting things happening in our community and for Viet-AID, and I look forward to continuing to share them with you.

Sincerely,

 

 

Nam Pham, Executive Director

Tết Celebration 2014
  

Viet-AID held its annual New Year’s celebration on February 16th,welcoming the Year of the Horse.  Attendance was very good as families braved the tough, snowy winter conditions.  Newly elected Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh joined with Viet-AID executive director Nam Pham in lighting the strings of firecrackers to start the festivities.  And we knew the Tết celebration was fully underway when the 2 dragons entered and performed their highly energetic dance.

Following a Flag ceremony, which offered stirring renditions of both the Vietnamese and American national anthems, and after the customary tribute to heaven and the ancestors, Viet-AID officials invited Mayor Walsh to address the crowd. The Mayor spoke of the strong support from the Vietnamese community that he has always enjoyed, and thanked everyone for supporting his election. “It’s so important for all of

us to celebrate our culture and traditions, because that is what Boston is all about” said Marty Walsh. Following his remarks, the Boston Vietnamese American Council awarded him a beautiful portrait.

There was plenty of good food available, and the celebration continued into the afternoon with songs, poetry, and dance performances.  We here at Viet-AID would like to thank all of our friends and supporters who helped make this annual tradition a huge success.

The Tet Celebration was on Fox News and Boston.com, and you can find more pictures on our website and Facebook pages.

 

VACA – A Helping Hand in Our Community

 

When Thao Nguyen first arrived in the United States, she was 61 years of age. Like most new immigrants, she faced a lot of challenges, and she struggled for the first five years after moving to her new country.  But the United States is a land of immigrants, and has a long history of communities helping newcomers to get settled. For the Vietnamese community In Boston, that help has come from VACA, the Vietnamese American Civic Association.

Here we have a story about the journey of a Vietnamese woman who found her new life in the United States with assistance from VACA. VACA helped her to access a variety of social services that are available, such as food stamps and affordable housing.  VACA went through the applications with her, translated letters for her, and sometimes went with her as interpreter and moral support. They helped her with job applications, so that she could help herself have better living conditions. Ms. Nguyen did her part and worked very hard to improve her life as she resettled in the US. Now she lives in affordable housing and has two part-time jobs, allowing her to be self-sufficient.  And while she has become independent, she has also become a very active community member, who loves to volunteer and attend different community events. “Seeing the smile always on her face, we know she is getting more comfortable here and has a completely new life!” said MyHoang, the executive director of VACA. 

VACA has its office in the Vietnamese American Community Center at 42 Charles Street, and continues to provide our community with essential social services by working in partnership with Viet-AID.  You can learn more about VACA by visiting our website at www.vaca-boston.org, or by finding us on Facebook.

Support Viet-AID. Go Shopping!

 

Do you know that you can support VietAID while shopping at AmazonSmile without extra cost?

Amazon now donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.

 

 

 

NO EXTRA COST to CUSTOMERS and ORGANIZATIONS!

 

AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.

Only 3 Steps and you can make a big difference to VietAID:

1. Please go to http://smile.amazon.com/

2. Enter “Vietnamese American Initiative for Development Inc.” as the organization that you support.

3. Go shop!

Thank you for your support!

Should you have any question, please feel free to contact Michelle Hu at michelle@vietaid.org or 617-822-3717 X15